Slip Sliding Away

Yankee Stadium was still abuzz last night from the announced return of Roger Clemens and the great effort being put in by rookie starting pitcher Matt DeSalvo. But one of the worst umpiring decisions in a long time put an abrupt end to all the good feelings.

The Yankees lead 2-1 after 7 thanks to a magnificent 3-hit performance turned in by DeSalvo. Don Mattingly, filling in for the suspended Joe Torre, went to Kyle Farnsworth to start the 8th. With 2 out and none on, Jose Vidro reached on a broken bat infield single. Mike Hargrove sent in Willie Bloomquist to pinch-run and the game turned on a dime when Bloomquist tried to steal 2nd.

Jorge Posada's throw was off-line to the 1st base side, but Robinson Cano brought the tag down quickly on Bloomquist's behind, well short of 2nd base. Except 2nd base ump, Gerry Davis, didn't see it that way. Bloomquist was called safe and scored moments later on a bloop single to right field by Kenji Johjima to tie the game. 1 inning later Mariano Rivera surrendered a solo HR to Adrian Beltre and the Yankees were done.

To make matters more annoying, Davis admitted after the game that he blew the call. Since neither Cano or Derek Jeter, who was backing up on the play, put up any argument, Mattingly, who can't see from the dugout, didn't come out to protest the call.

DeSalvo allowed a run on 2 hits in the 1st inning, and then allowed just one more hit after that. He kept the M's off balance with a mixture of a low 90s fastball, and breaking and off-speed pitches.

Bobby Abreu drove in a run with a ground out in the 1st, but failed to come through in the 5th (grounding out with 2 on, 2 out), 7th (grounding out with 2 on, 1 out), and in the 9th (struck out looking to end the game with the tying run at 2nd).